Spurs-Thunder double – San Antonio’s double-overtime win over Oklahoma City in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals drew 12.0 million viewers during the second overtime and averaged 9.2 million total viewers on NBC and Peacock—NBC’s biggest Western Conference Finals Game 1 ever,
By the time the second overtime ended at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, millions of televisions were still tuned in—long after most games would have stopped demanding attention.
Monday night’s opener of the Western Conference Finals turned into a marathon: the No. 2 seed San Antonio Spurs defeated the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder 122-115 in double overtime. The game averaged a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) of 9.2 million viewers on NBC and Peacock. making it the most-watched Western Conference Finals Game 1 ever. based on official Nielsen Big Data + Panel and digital data from Adobe Analytics.
The numbers spiked at the exact moment the tension peaked. The broadcast hit a peak of 12.0 million viewers from 11:30 p.m. to 11:43 p.m. ET, covering the second overtime and the game’s conclusion. For viewers who watched at all. the momentum came through loud on paper too: the 9.2 million TAD was up 71% versus Western Conference Finals Game 1 last year.
Peacock helped drive the streaming surge. The game streamed an Average Minute Audience (AMA) of 2.3 million viewers, the most-streamed NBC/Peacock NBA game ever.
NBC’s overall performance also landed on strong ground. By averaging 6.9 million TV-only viewers, NBC won the night in total audience and all key demos. The telecast also marked the most-watched TV-only Monday primetime program on NBC since The Voice on March 13. 2023. when it drew 7.0 million viewers.
There was only one other standout in the broader 2025-26 season: the Spurs-Thunder Game 1 was the second-most-watched game of the season to date.
On the court, the game’s final story had a familiar name attached to the final numbers. Spurs center Victor Wembanyama delivered a masterful 41 points and 24 rebounds. Monday’s Game 1 was only the sixth double-overtime game in NBA Conference Finals history. and the first Western Conference Finals Game 1 to go to overtime since the format began in 1971.
The growth wasn’t limited to one night. NBC Sports’ return to the NBA Playoffs for the first time in 24 years has been a viewership success. For its 21 First Round and Conference Semifinals games on NBC/Peacock. NBC Sports averaged a TAD of 5.8 million viewers. up 51% versus comparable coverage last year. For six Conference Semifinals games. NBC/Peacock averaged a TAD of 6.6 million viewers and delivered three consecutive nights of 7+ million viewers (May 10-12)—the first time that has ever happened within the first two rounds of the NBA Playoffs.
The momentum culminated in the most-watched First Round Game 7 in NBA history, with 76ers-Celtics on May 2 averaging a TAD of 11.0 million viewers on NBC and Peacock.
What viewers are watching next is already scheduled to keep the spotlight on Oklahoma City and San Antonio. Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals is set for 8:30 p.m. ET tonight at Paycom Center, with live on-site coverage beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET on Peacock under NBA Showtime before transitioning to NBC and Peacock at 8 p.m. ET.
The matchup remains the same: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, named NBA Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive season this past week, and the defending champion and No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder host Victor Wembanyama and the No. 2 seed San Antonio Spurs.
Studio coverage from Paycom Center starts with host Maria Taylor and analysts Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, and Tracy McGrady. Each of the seven Western Conference Finals games will be presented exclusively on NBC and Peacock, with on-site NBA Showtime studio coverage at every game as well.
NBC Sports’ Mike Tirico will handle play-by-play, with Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Reggie Miller and Jamal Crawford as analysts. Zora Stephenson and Ashley ShahAhmadi will serve as courtside reporters across the series.
Spurs Thunder Game 1 Western Conference Finals NBC Peacock ratings Total Audience Delivery Average Minute Audience Victor Wembanyama 41 points 24 rebounds double overtime NBA playoffs viewership
12 million for a Spurs game?? That’s wild, I didn’t even know it was on.
So like… NBC says millions were still tuned in after the double overtime ended. But how do they count that if people fall asleep? Also Peacock is supposed to be the one driving it, right? feels like marketing.
Wait you’re saying it was 71% up from last year, but Spurs already won in 5 games or whatever? I’m confused. I thought Thunder was the favorite and they’d sweep, but I guess not. Double overtime sounds like a whole mess though.
Peacock “Average Minute Audience” sounds made up lol like who sits and counts minutes. Still, double overtime is the only thing I needed to hear. If that hit 11:43pm ET, my TV was definitely on but I probably wasn’t watching the whole time.